\u201cI apologize, Vaibhav, but if you look at how West Indies handled Brian Lara, he was a generational talent. Everyone knew that,\u201d Brathwaite said on ESPNCricinfo TimeOut show following Suryavanshi\u2019s stunning 37-ball 103 for Rajasthan Royals against Sunrisers Hyderabad, marking his second IPL century with this one made off just 36 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brathwaite pointed out how Lara was nurtured within the system before taking on international competition. \u201cSo what did West Indies do? They put him with top players like Viv Richards, but he didn't play international cricket. That was a different time with many tour games, and he developed his skills alongside senior players before making his debut. We all know how his career turned out after that,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brathwaite recommended a similar path for Suryavanshi, allowing him to learn in the Indian setup without the immediate pressure of international cricket. \u201cSo maybe there is a way to combine both worlds where he can be part of the Indian team, learn from players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav. There are other young players close to his age that he can learn from before just throwing him into the deep end.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta supported the call for caution, emphasizing that while Suryavanshi's talent is clear, it\u2019s important to manage his mental growth. \u201cWe've seen some really good talents struggle,\u201d Dasgupta said. \u201cPeople say he should be in the Indian side, and that's fair. But there are two sides to this story. You need technical skills and mental strength.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTechnically, he's there\u2014we've seen how he plays against top bowlers. So we know he can handle that side. But on the mental side, he will face challenges. We have to be careful about how we handle that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dasgupta noted Suryavanshi\u2019s growth from his debut season to his second year in the IPL. \u201cThe first year could have been a flash in the pan, an unknown player. But the second year is always tougher because bowlers have plans. We've seen what has happened in this second year. He is a very, very special talent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTechnically, he's there\u2014we've seen how he plays against top bowlers. So we know he can handle that side. But on the mental side, he will face challenges. We have to be careful about how we handle that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Suryavanshi\u2019s statistics show why he is generating so much buzz\u2014357 runs in seven matches during IPL 2026 at an impressive strike rate of 234.86. For a brief time, he held the Orange Cap before Abhishek Sharma passed him.<\/p>\r\n\r\n